Sapphire Princeps – District 1

The chair in the Justice Building is very comfy. The decorations and furnishings are pleasant. The walls are a calming color. The Peacekeepers outside of my room make me feel safe. The windows to the outdoors give me a pleasant feeling as sunshine seeps through the curtains.

Truth is, they're merely illusions. The feeling in my heart right now is pain and confusion. It's hard to explain but all I know is that my heart is rattling around in my ribcage. Sorren is in the other room, waiting for visitors. I haven't been able to talk to him since the Reapings. I want to ask him, no, demand, why he volunteered. Of course the entire District One loves him because he volunteered and the Capitol is going to love the brother against sister thing.

It's just a game. It's just a game. I keep telling myself that, fists clenched, but it's not just a game. Only one of us is going to come out. I never wanted to be in the Hunger Games, even when my mother has tried pushing me into volunteering. Sorren made a mistake by volunteering. If he isn't dead by the final three, I might have to take extraordinary measures so I can take the victory.

Winning means fame and fortune, and genuine love from my mother. Mom has always loved me, but I've sensed that it wasn't real all the time. She's forced me to train ever since I could walk. When I did something wrong, she'd punish me with training and exercising. I'd do squats or stand on one foot for an hour or two. I'd do push-ups and pull ups. I have to admit though; her punishments have made me a stronger person.

A loud clunking noise reaches my ears and I tear my gaze from the wooden floors. My mother's four inch red heels click on the floor as she strides over to me and pulls me into a tight hug.

"Oh, Sapphire," she says, "your mumsy is so proud of you!" My mom's great and all, but she often times talks down to me in a condescending tone. She still sees me as a little girl with an exception of being able to use a spear and sword. Little girls don't use spears and swords. Little girls play with dolls and worry about their hair. Normal girls worry about boys and zits. I'm not a normal girl.

"Well, I guess you can't come to the club with me now, can you, sweetheart?" Mom pinches my cheeks, grinning. "This is such a big day! I have two children in the Hunger Games! At the same time!"

I'm not sure if she realizes that only one of us is coming back. She probably hopes it's me. She never really liked my brother, always seeing him as a disappointment and always wishing he was someone else, preferably a girl.

"I'm going to say goodbye to Sorren now. I'll see you soon, Sapphire," Mom says. "I love you, sweetie!" She laughs, flipping her hair before she gives me a final hug and peck on the forehead. "Come back soon. I don't want you having too much fun in the Capitol." And just like that. Gone.

I don't expect anyone else to come, especially not Dandef. After his little stunt in the District Square, I don't want to see his face again. My brother was right, but I wouldn't listen to him. I saw Dandef as a key to a higher social status. I wasted my time and I know now that I won't make a fool out of myself again.

Surprisingly, Skylar comes in, blond hair shimmering in the light and lime green eyes gleaming. I realize that I hadn't listened to Sorren about a lot of things. On several occasions he told me Sky likes me, and obviously, I didn't listen. I didn't want him to be more than a friend. The thought of the possibility of dying scares me and I don't want to die without him knowing. One kiss won't hurt. Just one kiss. Just one.

"Come home to me," Skylar says softly, our foreheads touching. Within seconds, my fingers are holding onto nothing. He's gone, just like my mother.

Hannah, my best friend, bounds into the room, embracing me in a friendly manner. "Sapphire! Please come back soon." She presses something into my hand. A bracelet with several jewels.

"But it's your good luck charm," I tell her. "I can't take this." I hand it back to her, but she shakes her head and wraps it around my wrist.

"And now it's your good luck charm," Hannah tells me. She lightly touches the emerald, ruby, and sapphire jewels, all of which are rare. "Protect this and make sure thieves don't steal it. It's really expensive."

I grin, "Thanks." We hug once more.

"Please come back," she whispers.

"I will," I say. "I'll do whatever it takes. I promise." Even if it means killing my own brother.

Pietta Carmelle – District 3

They say there are six million ways to die. If that's true, it should actually be six million and one. That one being the Hunger Games.

The Justice Building is plain and simple. I'm not too focused on how it looks though because I'm not going to be in here for long. My friends and family will come say goodbye to me and be all sad. I understand I'm going to the Games, but I don't quite understand why they're going to have to be all melodramatic. I'm going to come back. I hope so.

Maxwell is in the room next door. He seems like an alright kid, but he laughs awkwardly. He's trying how hide how scared he is. Even I can see through his façade and I am terrible at reading emotions. I heard two people in his room and no one else. Neither of his visitors sounded like a grown woman. One was a young boy and the other was a girl.

The Peacekeeper at the door watches me as I sit on the couch. No one's come in yet. Does that mean I'm going to leave without a simple goodbye?

"Piet?" My mother stands in the doorway with my father's arm wrapped around her. His expression is terse whereas my mother's is fighting tears. She smiles, although it quivers. She pulls herself away and kneels down in front of my short frame. "You come back, you hear me? I love you, sweetheart, and so does your father," she says. I glance to my father who simple nods. He's never loved me, and to be frank, neither has my mother, but I know my mother tries.

I nod to my mother, unable to form words. Words are hard for me. I want to say them and they'll be stuck in my head. But when it comes to spitting them out, I can't do it. I remember in school I'd be told to recite something or speak up in front of class. My mind would freeze and either I'd babble about nothing or say nothing at all.

Math is the subject I prefer. It's logical. It always has an answer. The answer can always be found. I live and breathe math, period. In my free time, I estimate the angles of corners in a room or think about quadratic equations. I'd consider the types of exponential growths and decays and logarithms. Math helped me through my entire life and it continues to help me.

My mother hugs me, even when I don't say a thing. She departs with my father, passing the Peacekeeper quickly. For the next few minutes, no one comes. I don't have any friends so I don't feel alone or betrayed. Friends are confusing. They might be nice one day then backstabbers the next. Sometimes, they'll distract you so much you won't realize they're holding a knife. I've tried having friends, but that hasn't worked out. I don't need them though. Math is my friend.

The Peacekeeper leads me out of the room and I meet up with Maxwell. He sniffles and wipes his nose. It's no surprise he was crying. He still gives me odd looks, which is funny because he has to look down at me and his expression is always quizzical. It's like he's studying me, trying to see how much of a chance I stand in the Games. I wonder how much of a chance would he stand in the Games.

My bet is not very long. He's scrawny with no muscle. All brains and no brawn. I suppose though that I don't really have a chance either. I've never fought, never trained, never been hungry. I'm just…me. There's nothing special to me. I'm not a beautiful tribute from District One, or a strong tribute from Two, or the athletic kind from Four. I'm stuck with a nerd of a partner.

Chrysanta Diamanto and Devon Reperio join us at the train station. Chrysanta has a different outfit on. Now she has a puffy yellow dress on with tall stilettos. I stick my tongue out in disgust. Yellow is the worst cover there is. She's made it ten times worse by wearing a matching bow.

"Come aboard, kiddies!" Chrysanta squeals, jumping on the train.

Devon waits till we reach the train before she gets on. I pass Chrysanta and am sure not to touch her. I trip a little, and Devon grabs my arm. I jerk away, running to the back of the train. When I glance back, he and Maxwell give me strange looks. Chrysanta, on the other hand, doesn't notice a single thing.

I'm not sure how I'll be able to survive the Games if I can't even handle being on a train with a giant lemon for an escort, an insomniac for a mentor, and a wimpy district partner.

Kage Hatenn – District 5

Nayeli is annoying as hell. She never says anything and has a look of disgust across her face. I'm right here; she doesn't need to look so bored. I'm the most interesting thing here. I try to take a different approach and put on the charming gentleman persona. I open the door and allow her to go first. She walks in without saying anything and bumps into me. A Peacekeeper leads her to one room. That little witch is certainly getting on my nerves. I think I know who's going to die first.

Roughs hands shove me into a room away from Nayeli's. That's a disappointment because I want to barge in and teach her a lesson. Actually, that's not a bad idea. When her parents are visiting her, I'll pay Nayeli a little visit. She won't mind. Well, I won't mind, that's for sure.

I lounge across the massive couch near the wall. The cushions are soft and I sink right in them. Humming a tune and tapping my foot to the beat takes my mind away from reality. The thought of being in a world full of hot girls where I could never get into trouble is incredibly fascinating. Nayeli could totally be a hottie if she changed her attitude. She's way too stuck up to be beautiful, much less pretty.

I wish my district partner was someone different. Maybe someone like Trista Rolans. She's blonde, blue eyed, and has a cute button nose. The only problem is she's nineteen now and too old for the Reapings. Last year she was a total knockout. Olive green dress in high heels. A lot of boys fell head over heels for her, including me. Too bad none of us stood a chance. Most of us men still don't stand a chance. Rumor has it she's got a new boyfriend. Doesn't matter anyways because once I win the Games, I'll have every girl falling to their knees.

"Hello, mate," a voice says. I frown as the words interrupt my musings. I recognize the voice very clearly. Lore, one of my best friends, saunters through the doors with my other pal, Wenn. They grin, patting me on the back. "So, you gonna win?"

"Of course. I'll see you two in a couple of weeks," I tell them confidently.

"You better," Wenn says. "Then, when you move into a Victor's home, we can throw tons of parties. Do you know how many girls would come? You'll be famous!"

"Oh, yeah," Lore agrees. "And we'll be your famous best friends!"

"Don't count on it!" I say. My friends send me funny looks and I laugh. "Kidding!" After a moment, they're laughing too. "So, my district partner is a total byotch."

"Dude, but is she hot?" Wenn questions, waggling his eyebrows.

"I guess so, but she's a bitch. I held the door open for her and she didn't even acknowledge me," I say.

"You know what that means? You gotta kill her in the Bloodbath. You do that and I'm sure you'll get tons of sponsors." The Peacekeeper comes in to take my friends away. With one last hug, we all say farewell.

My parents come in next. They look…relieved. My mother hugs me, crying a little, although I bet those tears are of happiness and not sadness. It doesn't matter anyways. When I win, they definitely won't be allowed in the house. "I hope you come back," Mom says, sobbing into my shoulder.

"Yeah, you're getting tears on my shirt, Mom," I say. I peel her off my shoulder and walk up to my dad. "Have a nice life, old man." I shake his hand almost sardonically.

Dad gives me a stern look. "Good luck, son," he says in a deep voice. "Do your best. We have faith in you."

"I'm sure you do." I salute to them as they turn to leave. No more visitors come. Kind of disappointing because I know I deserve more visitors than I received. Where are the girls? The other guys? Where is everyone? Shouldn't I have more adoring fans? In the Capitol, I'll woo every girl there. I'll even attempt to sweep Nayeli off her feet whether she likes it or not.

The Peacekeeper drags me out the room. Nayeli meets me in the main hallway, her face set in stone. I'd completely forgotten about barging in on her visitations. I'll find another way to screw with her head.

"So, how were your goodbyes?" I ask.

"Shut up, byotch," she snaps.

I think I've already got a few ideas on how to screw with her before I kill her in the Bloodbath.

Clara Lignum – District 7

It's scary to think that my life will possibly end in a few days. I'm only fifteen; I've barely lived. There's so much I want to do. I want to open an animal shelter, help children learn about the meaning of life, even get a job in the Capitol to unite Panem. Okay, so the last one is a little far-fetched, but I still want Panem to be one country again. I think a lot of people would agree with me there.

I skip beside Washington, who's walking one step every time I skip three times. He's big and tall. There's no doubt that he stands a chance. He works with chopping down trees. He has muscles. If they have axes in the arena, he could certainly be deadly.

I stand a chance too. I've worked all my life, climbing trees and chopping one of two down. If I move quickly, maybe I can avoid all the Careers and wait until they kill everyone including each other.

"Who will visit you, Washington?" I ask.

"Call me Wash," he says bluntly. His hands are shoved in his pockets and he's staring at the ground, examining all the cracks.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Clara."

"So I've heard," he says, smiling halfway. "My brother is going to visit me. Maybe a few kids from the community home."

"Oh, yeah, aren't you an…err…"

"Orphan. You can say it. It won't hurt me." He chuckles, sending me a nice smile. His eyes are absolutely gorgeous. Stop that, you can't think about that though. He's your enemy. Don't get attached.

"Yes, you're an orphan. I lost my mom when I was younger," I say softly. "I feel what you're feeling."

"That's nice to know."

We enter the Justice Building and go into our separate rooms. Mark and Tabitha will be two of my friends who I know will visit me. My father will come too. I wish my mom could be here, but I know she's watching over me from wherever she is. I clutch the necklace she once owned. A locket with a picture of her and my father. I'm going to keep it as my token. There's not a day that goes by that I don't wear it.

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in," a male voice says.

I grin, hugging Mark. Tabitha laughs, joining in our hug. "Good luck, Clara. You've gotta win," she says.

"I'll win for you both," I say. We all collapse on the couch. "If I don't win—"

"Hey, you don't need to say that," Mark interrupts.

"Yes, I do. If I don't win, I really, really, really want to know you both will get married as soon as you can."

Tabitha glances at Mark, then they both turn away, blushing. I always knew there was something going on with them. Mark chuckles nervously and runs a hand through his dark hair. He gazes at Tabitha with his piercing blue eyes. Tabitha pushes her blonde hair behind her ear, green eyes shining.

"Oh for goodness sake! Kiss already!" I command. I jump up to give them room.

"Not in front of you!" They both say.

"Oh please! You know, this could be the last time I ever see you. Won't you feel guilty that you didn't do what I said and I died? How awful would that be?" I laugh lightly and they kiss timidly.

"There, happy?" Tabitha says.

"Extremely. I love you guys and I promise to come back home." I hug them again as my father enters the room. "See you both soon. Remember, marriage. Also remember abstinence until you get married."

"Bye, Clara." Both of them hold hands, exiting the building.

I rush over towards my father, pulling him into a big bear hug. "Daddy!" I feel like a small child again.

"You're getting so big, girlie," my father says, laughing. I'm going to miss his laugh. He kisses my forehead. "I know for sure that you're going to win this year."

"I hope so. That's the plan!" I grin, holding onto my dad.

"When you get home, I'm going to make you your favorite meal and we'll move into a Victor's home immediately. We'll put your mother's things up and it'll be like we've always lived there. I'm sure Mark and Tabitha will be proud of you too."

"Thanks, Dad."

"I love you, sweetheart," he says, embracing me. Suddenly, I'm holding nothing but air. He's gone.

"Bye, Daddy," I whisper. Then I realize, I'm alone. I've never noticed how much I hate being alone. I don't want to be alone. I don't want to die alone. I don't want to do anything alone. But I'll have to be alone in order to win.